EWS Part L proposals do not go far enough Fabric performance could be worse, says Leti by using renewables. [Part L] needs fabric improvement, low carbon heating and renewables. The governments proposed Leti has criticised the changes to Part L of the proposal to use primary Building Regulations will energy as the principal not lead to the cut in carbon performance metric, emissions required for the as it masks the energy UK to meet net-zero energy Clara Bagenal George performance of the building targets, according to a leading by including energy source group of design professionals. carbon factors. It advocates using the The London Energy Transformation Passivhaus metric kWh.m-2 per year. Initiative (Leti) said that it was unable to support a number of proposed changes in George said: We want an absolute figure, the regulation governing energy use. so you can compare buildings year to year. The government has published the George said that the metric could be consultation for Part L (housing) and the used as an optional route to compliance, Future Homes Standard, which is due to so people had time to develop the tools ban gas boilers in new homes from 2025. ahead of 2025, when the governments Leti said that the proposal to remove Future Homes Standard comes into force. the fabric energy efficiency standard Leti believes that the government needs (Fees) would mean that housebuilders to mandate for zero carbon buildings by could meet improved performance targets 2030 to meet its 2050 net-zero carbon through system upgrades alone. targets. George said: If we are aiming for If designers changed to a heat pump, net-zero buildings by 2030, we have five you could get the higher level of savings years to learn how to do it. Otherwise, it with an inferior fabric, said Clara Bagenal will be too late. George, founder of Leti. George said new The removal of the power of local proposed minimum standards for fabric authorities to set carbon reduction targets performance did not go far enough to beyond Building Regulations has also been compensate for the removal of Fees. questioned by CIBSE and Leti. George said: BuroHappold stainability and physics This is completely unnecessary and will associate Jon Gregg said: Ultimately, you send London and many cities backwards. could circumnavigate the fabric approach See pages 9 and 24 for more on Part L. Labour reveals plans for net-zero carbon in 2030s A 2020 zero carbon building standard is among 30 recommendations that the Labour Party has made to decarbonise the UK. It said the UK should be put on a climate emergency footing for the next decade. The 30 recommendations span four goals: reducing energy waste; decarbonising heating; boosting renewable and low carbon electricity generation; and keeping the system balanced to ensure security of supply. Labour said that, if its recommendations are implemented, the UK would cut UK energy emissions by 77%, compared to 2010. It said the proposed investment in the energy sector would lead to a net benefit of 800bn to the UK economy. Its four key goals by 2030 are to reduce heat demand by 20%, cut electricity demand by 11%, increase supply of renewable and low carbon heat to 50%, and increase supply of renewable and low carbon electricity to 90%. The plan recommends establishing a pledge to heat all new buildings by renewable or low carbon energy only (or as close as possible), with no fossil-fuel heating from 2020. Labours Shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey said: The recommendations in this report could put the UK on track for a zero carbon energy system during the 2030s but only if rapid progress is made early on. The next five years are, therefore, crucial. GOING UNDERGROUND Arup is supplying multidisciplinary design services for a 300m new hotel in Leicester Square, which features a ballroom and 15-metre swimming pool within its six basement levels. The Londoner is being developed by Edwardian Hotels London and is due to open in summer 2020. Arup is providing mechanical, electrical and public health services on the project, which is aiming for Breeam Excellent and a reduction in carbon emissions of more than 30% compared with Part L 2016. 500m renewables and heating pipeline up for grabs Procurement organisation Fusion 21 has published a new national heating and renewables framework, covering a fouryear programme of work on behalf of the Department for Education in schools, academies and colleges, worth up to 500m. It aims to select firms offering both domestic and commercial heating services including consultancy, design, service and maintenance, and installation for the programme, which starts early next year. It aims to give SMEs, in particular, chances to bid for specialist work. Work will also require renewable technology applications, ranging from air and ground source heat pumps to solar thermal, electric heating and hot-water systems. District heating and the installation and servicing of heat interface units will play a key role in the commercial projects, according to the procurer. www.cibsejournal.com November 2019 7 CIBSE Nov19 pp07 News v2.indd 7 25/10/2019 14:34